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The
United States Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard represents the United
States Coast Guard through ceremonial operations held before world leaders
and dignitaries, and to lay to rest with proper military honors, dignity,
and respect the remains of fallen shipmates. The Honor Guard performs
in over 1100 ceremonies annually.

The
Ceremonial Honor Guard is under the direct control of the Military District
of Washington and is loaned to the Coast Guard for special events. The
Military District of Washington uses the Ceremonial Honor Guard for White
House functions, dignitary visits, state funerals and other high-level,
official ceremonial events.

The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard was established at the request of
President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Prior to that, the Coast Guard
Recruit Training Center in
Cape May
,
N.J.
, was responsible for supplying a recruit platoon to fulfill Coast Guard
commitments in national ceremonies. This not only proved expensive,
but the recruits lacked essential experience and performance skills.
On March 5, 1962, Admiral Alfred C. Richmond, Commandant of the United
States Coast Guard, established the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard.
The Honor Guard, then located at the United States Coast Guard Yard in
Baltimore, Md., had 33 original members. In order to reduce the
logistical problems involved in responding to ceremonial tasking in
Washington
, the Honor Guard moved its base of operations to Coast Guard Radio Station
Washington
in 1965. That facility is now known as the Coast Guard
Telecommunication and Information Systems Command (TISCOM). TISCOM is
located in
Alexandria
,
Va., and is still home to the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard.

The Honor Guard is comprised of 63 members, with a Lieutenant (O-3) serving
as the Officer in Charge, two junior officers (usually O-1 or O-2) serving
as Operations Officer and Training Officer, a Chief Petty Officer (E-7) as
the Honor Guard Chief/Chief Master at Arms, and four Petty Officers (ranging
from E-4 to E-6). The remaining 55 members of the Honor Guard are
"first-tour" non-rates (E-3) coming directly out of Training Center Cape
May. The officers and non-rates serve a two year tour of duty in the
Honor Guard, while the Chief Petty Officer and Petty Officers serve four
year tours.

While official honor guard activities take priority, the units of the
Ceremonial Honor Guard are available for some public performances. The
sponsor must fund all expenses connected with the appearance, such as
transportation, meals, lodging, and promotion efforts.